Deciding between SSDs and HDDs for your network-attached storage (NAS) can prove challenging if you're just starting out or are looking to do some upgrades. I've considered the move from HDDs to SSDs a few times now, but I always come back to the trusty mechanical hard drive. My reasoning involves costs, capacities, performance, and longevity (depending on workload). Here are some that prevent me from making the switch, though I'm sure I will do eventually.

For decades, Windows has dominated the PC landscape, and that's particularly true for gaming, since most games are designed for Windows and you can't just find alternatives to a specific game like you can with other software. That's slowly been changing over the years, but since Valve introduced the Steam Deck, based on Linux, things have evolved even more quickly. And thanks to Bazzite, you can bring that kind of experience to any PC.

Despite their popularity among hardcore gamers, SLI and Crossfire setups have gone the way of the dodo, with most PC builders arming their systems with a single battle-ready graphics card. However, there are still some niche cases where you can get better results with more graphics cards. And I don’t just mean server PCs or home labs either.

With Windows 10 support ending in October 2025, selecting your next operating system will be an important decision. However, switching to a new OS isn’t always smooth. It requires a learning curve and adjustments in workflow, and at times, you may need to deal with rival software to get the job done. While there is no shortage of Windows 10 alternatives, I highly recommend avoiding the options below.

Back in late 2023, Microsoft announced Python integration in Excel. Like many, I was skeptical at first and continued to rely on VBA and built-in Excel formulas for data analyses and visualization. However, after hearing whispers of its potential on the forums, I finally dove into the world of Python within Excel, and the combination far exceeded my expectations.

Given how popular the Raspberry Pi is, it can be easy to forget that there are alternatives out there that suit different use cases. For example, when we compared the Raspberry Pi vs. the Orange Pi, we noted how the latter kept things budget-friendly for the hardware you get. Now, a brand new Orange Pi is here, and while it won't win any awards for sheer power, it still maintains the mantra of being very affordable.

Keeping your home network safe can be daunting, but there are some things you can do without deep knowledge of networking. Your router's starting settings are often set up for user convenience, and some of these decrease your overall security level. And if you've recently upgraded your router from an older model, you probably have a bunch of new settings that you're not familiar with to change. If you're wondering which settings to change, here's where to start.

Home security is more accessible than ever, with cloud-based cameras offering remote monitoring and AI features. However, these services come with subscription fees, privacy risks, and limited control over your data. A self-hosted surveillance system eliminates these drawbacks, giving you full control, better security, and greater customization. Here’s why it’s the smarter choice.

Like many, I relied on TeamViewer’s free plan for quick remote assistance, but the constant session timeouts and frustrating limitations quickly became unbearable. I needed something reliable, something that wouldn’t cut me off mid-task. Here is where I started exploring the world of remote desktop alternatives to find a solution that prioritizes functionality over limitations (and subscriptions). After trying dozens, I came across RustDesk, and it quickly ticked all the boxes for me.

The Retroid Pocket Mini has an unfixable issue that’s causing certain graphical effects for emulated games not to work properly. Retroid, the China-based company that makes the Pocket Mini, announced on Discord that it will accept returns of the device but only during a limited March 8th to March 14th window — and capped at just 200 returns from owners who live outside of China, as RetroHandhelds reports.Earlier in the week, the outlet says Retroid acknowledged it couldn’t fix the issue, which affects how the screen shows scanline and pixel grid shaders used to give classic emulated games the appearance of being played on the CRT displays they were designed for. The effects can show up as “misplaced scanlines, uneven pixels, or a slightly distorted image,” RetroHandhelds writes.In this morning’s message, Retroid says carrying out this return campaign is a “large and costly endeavor,” and that it expects “a lot of return requests outside of screen-related issues.” Retroid also mentions it is asking customers to pay to ship their returns, which it promises to reimburse. Finally, the company added that it will offer all Pocket Mini owners “a $10 stackable coupon” for two of its future handhelds.As Russ from the Retro Game Corps YouTube channel notes in a post on Reddit asking for recommendations to pass along to the company for dealing with the situation, Retroid is in a hard situation as a small company that now faces having to pay for very expensive shipping on returns. But that doesn’t change the fact that many gamers who bought the $199 handheld specifically to play retro games are left with a device whose otherwise impressive display does a bad job with some of the oldest tricks in the emulation book.

I am admittedly a Windows fan and I think the latest version is the best one to date. However, I am also a realist and certain things bug me about Windows 11 features that probably shouldn’t have been added in the first place or were added later.

Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 74, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, sorry in advance for my terrible TV taste, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I’ve been reading about Bybit, Walmart, and sports analytics; devouring the first season of Running Point and the seventh season of Drive to Survive; listening to Scam Inc and Tested; obsessing over my progress in Fantasy Hike; getting the hang of Tiny Wings again; and making a lot of pancakes for a toddler who suddenly won’t eat anything else.I also have for you a couple of exciting new Apple products, some fun stuff to watch this weekend, the return of a legendary social media platform, and much more. Plus, I’m an idiot. More on that in a minute. Let’s dig in.(As always, the best part of Installer is your ideas and tips. What are you into right now? What are you playing / reading / watching / downloading / building / eating with toast this week? Tell me everything: [email protected]. And if you know someone else who might enjoy Installer, tell them to subscribe here.)The DropThe new MacBook Air. The M …Read the full story at The Verge.